Overview

Morgenrast / Monte Mattina is a small summit to the west of the Kassian Group of the Sarntal Alps. It is the beginning or end of a ridge, which includes the most important summits of the group, Blankenhorn / Corno Bianco, Getrumspitze / Cima Gethruna and Kassianspitze / Cima San Cassiano among others. The ridge runs from west to east, spanning the whole width of the eastern branch of the Sarntal Alps Horseshoe. The full traverse of the ridge contains eight summits, all of them standing high above the wide pasture of Villanderer Alm / Malga di Villandro, thus offering wide views across the alm.

Morgenrast / Monte Mattina is a bit of an exception, as it is located a bit to the north of the ridge. As the lowest mountain its views are limited by the higher mountains around so that only the eastern and northern sides are open. In another sense Morgenrast / Monte Mattina, however, is typical, a ridge mountain with steep slopes / faces to the south and north and a broad crest running from east to west. The north face drops off for several hundred metres into Durnholzer Tal / Valdurna while the south face reaches the Reinswald ski run only after some 50m.

The shortest "ascent" to Morgenrast / Monte Mattina starts at the chair lift to neighbouring Pichlberg. This mountain, located to the south of Morgenrast / Monte Mattina is some 15m higher and following the ski run leads you to the east ridge of our mountain. The regular ascent starts at the cable-car station in the valley. After passing the ski run several times the route reaches the wide meadows to the west of Morgenrast / Monte Mattina. From there it heads across the east ridge towards the summit cross.

Summit Panorama to the North-West

Summit panorama from Morgenrast towards the Sarntal and Ötztal Alps

Getting There

The best trailhead for Morgenrast / Monte Mattinais at Reinswald / San Martino in Sarntal / Val Sarentino (or rather Durnholztal / Valdurna). There are ski lifts which run to neighbouring Pichlberg, which is about the same height as Morgenrast / Monte Mattina.

You also can start in Eisacktal / Valle d'Isarco but the route is very long. Moreover there are more interesting summits if you start from this side.

Take Brenner Motorway A22 to Bozen / Bolzano

Drive through the city, following signs to Sarntal / Val Sarentino on SS508

At Unterreinswald / San Martino Bassa turn onto SP138 to Reinswald / San Martino. Park at the cable-car station.

Red Tape

There's no red tape. Morgenrast / Monte Mattina stands above the Reinswald ski area, which - though small - is horrible to see in the summertime. Most of the grass hashas been carved away and what you see are the blank slopes. In some parts of the ski run they try to re-establish the flora - but with little success.